At its upfront presentation, FX brass confirmed the launch of a third FX-branded entertainment network, FXX, and an expansion of FXM (movie channel). FXX, expected to take over Fox Soccer Channel, will be available in 74 million homes and will launch September 2. The expansion across the three FX networks will be supported by a big increase in original programming. FX president John Landgraf projected that FX would double its original offerings to 25 original series within the next few years to achieve parity with ABC, NBC and CBS.

As part of the new FXX, the network today also renewed three FX comedy series — flagship It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, The League and Legit — that will help launch FXX, along with late-night show Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell, which will expand to five nights a week when it moves to the new network September 2. The plan for FXX is to start with four original comedy series and one late-night show; the fourth original comedy will likely come from one of FX’s half-hour pilots, FX president John Landgraf said. The new network’s original offerings will go up to six comedy series by the second year and to gradually introduce dramas.

The three channels will target different demographics. FX will continue to cater to adults 18-49, FXX will target adults 18-34 and FXM will go after adults 25-54. “They will share DNA and similar sensibilities for viewers interested in smart, cutting-edge programming”, Landgraf said. FX will ramp up its drama portfolio from 3 to 7 dramas and 4-6 comedies. FXM’s original programming will be built around limited-event series, part of FX-Fox’s joint initiative in the genre.